Matthew 6:16-18And when ye fast, be not as the hypocrites, downcast in countenance; for they disfigure their faces, so that they may appear fasting to men: verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 17 But thou , [when] fasting, anoint thy head and wash thy face, 18 so that thou mayest not appear fasting unto men, but to thy Father who is in secret; and thy Father who sees in secret shall render [it] to thee.

I voted that a person should brush their teeth but I would like to attach an "*" to my vote.

I personally think they should be brushed (especially at the parish level), but if a spiritual father decides to tell people not to then I wouldn' argue or pass judgement.

Has anyone ever had the experience of their spiritual father instructing parishioners not to brush their teeth before receiving communion? I'd imagine(or at least I'd hope!) priests are concerning themselves with weightier issues. I heard in the Polish Church this teeth brushing question is a big deal...is that true Nektarios?

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"When you give food to the poor, they call you a saint. When you ask why the poor have no food, they call you a communist". - Archbishop Hélder Pessoa Câmara

Matthew 6:16-18And when ye fast, be not as the hypocrites, downcast in countenance; for they disfigure their faces, so that they may appear fasting to men: verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 17 But thou , [when] fasting, anoint thy head and wash thy face, 18 so that thou mayest not appear fasting unto men, but to thy Father who is in secret; and thy Father who sees in secret shall render [it] to thee.

Amen!

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The first condition of salvation is to keep the norm of the true faith and in no way to deviate from the established doctrine of the Fathers.- Pope St. Hormisdas

I personally would make a distinction with stuff that you don't consume. For instance, I think bubble gum violates the fast, even if you don't consume it. But something like toothpaste is different. The latter is a matter of hygiene; the former is not.

I personally would make a distinction with stuff that you don't consume. For instance, I think bubble gum violates the fast, even if you don't consume it. But something like toothpaste is different. The latter is a matter of hygiene; the former is not.

What about those new listerine strips? Hmmm.... Someone contact an athonite, quick.

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"When you give food to the poor, they call you a saint. When you ask why the poor have no food, they call you a communist". - Archbishop Hélder Pessoa Câmara

I know that this is an old thread. I happened to stumble upon this will surfing the web the other day:

"Before Communion, it is important not to brush your teeth or gargle water, in case water may accidentally be swallowed. St. Severus Bin Moqafaa says, “Many gargle their mouth by water then partake in the Communion and this is wrong. The mystery of God’s words to His servant Moses about the Passover lamb, who was an example of the Body of Christ, was to be eaten with bitterness, meaning bitterness of the mouth.”

I don't subscribe to this myself (I am not OO anyway) but I thought it strange; I had never heard anything about not brushing one's teeth before receiving communion. I don't see the relationship to the Moses verse at all.

I know that this is an old thread. I happened to stumble upon this will surfing the web the other day:

"Before Communion, it is important not to brush your teeth or gargle water, in case water may accidentally be swallowed. St. Severus Bin Moqafaa says, “Many gargle their mouth by water then partake in the Communion and this is wrong. The mystery of God’s words to His servant Moses about the Passover lamb, who was an example of the Body of Christ, was to be eaten with bitterness, meaning bitterness of the mouth.”

I don't subscribe to this myself (I am not OO anyway) but I thought it strange; I had never heard anything about not brushing one's teeth before receiving communion. I don't see the relationship to the Moses verse at all.

Maybe bitterness is supposed to be the taste we have in our mouths when we don't brush our teeth?

Please. Honestly, this is the kind of legalism that is harmful in the spiritual lives of the faithful. It's one thing if you're a monastic. But for people in the world... too much. Just MHO.

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Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.Matthew 18:5

If people are so concerned about swallowing a little water, toothpaste, or mouthwash, then what about saliva? In that case no one,even the priest, could receive Holy Communion. Use common sense and the advice of your spiritual father.